Cornus

The leaves of Cornus make the genus easily recognizable. They are opposite in all but one Michigan species, entire, and with parallel lateral veins arching strongly as they approach the margins. Combinations of size, shape, texture, venation, and pubescence are rather distinctive for most species, but they do vary depending on conditions, and blades tend to be larger and less papillose beneath in the shade. Almost any character in the keys is open to exception, but identification is easier than the apparently overlapping statements might suggest. A diverse genus, sometimes split into several.

Cornus mas L., the European Cornelian Cherry, was collected in Ann Arbor (Washtenaw Co.) in 1949 as an “escape from cultivation,” but from a street running beside a park, and perhaps it was merely planted. It has bright yellow flowers in compact umbels appearing in early to mid April before the leaves expand, and conspicuous red fruit.

1. Leaves alternate or so crowded as to appear whorled, but not all distinctly opposite.

2. Plant a shrub or small tree; leaves all alternate (or crowded at ends of branches); inflorescence without subtending bracts; fruit dark blue.